1. School Grades Model and Historical Background

2. Why Grade Schools? Ensure students are college and career ready
Clear information about schools for parents and students
A – F grading system is universally understood
High stakes accountability for the adults

3. Florida’s Grading System
Focus on student achievement
Focus on learning gains
Focus efforts on students that need the most support to succeed
System of rewards and supports
Model for the nation historically

4. School Grades Basic Model - Assessment-Based Measures Included in School Grades for All School Types
Reading
Math
Writing
Science
Performance
(100 points)
Learning Gains All Students
Low 25% Learning Gains
(300 points)
50%
50%

5. Elementary Schools 2012-13 Reading Math Writing Science Performance
FCAT 2.0, FAA
(100 points)
FCAT, FAA
Learning Gains All Students
Low 25% Learning Gains
FCAT 2.0
(300 points)
Additional Requirements:
Learning gains requirement for the Low 25% reinstated.
Test at Least 90% of students, 95% to earn an “A.”
A performance threshold in Reading (25%) will be applied - Grade lowered one letter grade if not met (greater weight on reading) .

6. Middle Schools
Reading
Math
Writing
Science
Acceleration
Performance
Middle School Students’ Participation in and Performance on
High School Level EOC assessments (and Industry Certifications
In )
(100 points)
FCAT 2.0, FAA
FCAT 2.0, EOCs, FAA
FCAT, FAA
Learning Gains All Students
Low 25% Learning Gains
FCAT 2.0
(300 points)
Additional Requirements:
Learning gains requirement for the Low 25% reinstated.
Test at Least 90% of students, 95% to earn an “A.”
A performance threshold in Reading (25%) will be applied - Grade lowered one letter grade if not met (greater weight on reading).

7. High Schools *
Assessment Components – 50% (at least)
“Other” Components – 50%
Reading
Math (Algebra, Geometry)
Writing
Biology (Science)
Acceleration
Grad Rate
College Readiness
Performance
Participation
(150 points)
Overall
(200 points)
100 – Four Yr Rate
100 – Five Yr Rate
(100 points)
FCAT 2.0, FAA
EOC, FAA
FCAT, FAA
Learning Gains All Students
At-Risk
50 – Four-Yr Rate
50 – Five Yr Rate
Math
Low 25% Learning Gains
FCAT 2.0
EOC
(300 points)
(300points)
Additional Requirements:
Learning gains requirement for the Low 25% reinstated.
Test at Least 90% of students, 95% to earn an “A.”
Meet the at-risk graduation rate target to earn an “A” - 65% or improvement targets.
Performance threshold in Reading (25%) - Grade lowered one letter grade if not met. (greater weight on reading)
* K-12 and 6-12 combination schools are graded on a 1700-point model, which adds middle-school acceleration to the HS model.

8. Why are High School Grades Released in December?
High school grades use additional sources of data
Graduation rate
SAT and ACT
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Industry Certification, AICE, and Dual Enrollment
This information is not available in time for a summer release of grades

9. School Grading Scale A = 65.6% of points B = 61.9 % of points
C = 54.4.% of points
D = 49.4 % of points
F = less than 49.4 % of points
Same percentages apply to grading scales for all school types:
Elementary Schools = 800 possible points
Middle Schools = 900 possible points
High Schools = 1600 possible points
Combination Schools (K-12, 6-12) = 1700 possible points
Cut marks for school grades (as percent of total points)
A = (525/800) = 66%
B = (495/800) = 62%
C = (435/800) = 54%
D = (395/800) = 49% 9

10. School Improvement Ratings
Alternative schools and ESE centers can choose a School Improvement Rating instead of a School Grade
School improvement ratings compare learning gains in the current year to learning gains of the same students in the prior year
Ratings include:
Improving – at least 5% increase in the percent making learning gains
Maintaining – less than a 5% increase or decrease in the percent making learning gains
Declining – at least a 5% decrease in the percent making gains

11. School Accountability History
1991
Florida’s system of school improvement and accountability (Blueprint 2000).
Schools self-identified and self reported adequate progress as part of the school improvement planning process.
1995
Identification of critically low performing schools began.
Schools were identified based on reading, math and writing performance for 2 years.
Standards set for critically low performance.
If schools are critically low in reading writing and math for 2 years they were designated as critically low.
1999
The “A – F” school grading system began and FCAT results were used for the first time.
Based on current year data.
Included performance in reading, mathematics, and writing, and additional criteria -dropout rates, attendance, and discipline data.
Minimum and higher performing criteria set for reading, writing, and math.
To receive an A or B, schools were required to meet the higher performing criteria and additional requirements.
2002
School grades calculation was changed to the points based model we have today – 50% performance and 50% learning gains.
Learning gains were added (reading and math) - FCAT administered in Grades 3 to 10.
Learning gains for the Low 25% in reading added. Learning gains target in reading for the Low 25% added.

12. School Accountability History
2005
Additional students added to the calculation.
Students with disabilities added to learning gains, if students had FCAT scores.
ELLs added to learning gains.
2007
Science added to school grading measures.
Learning gains for the Low 25% in mathematics added (along with learning gains target for the Low 25% in math).
Bonus points for high school retakes added.
2010
Implement new High School measures (50% of HS Grade)
Acceleration – participation and success.
Graduation rate – all students and at risk.
College readiness – SAT, ACT, and PERT.
2012
New FCAT 2.0 and End-of-course (EOC) assessments with new achievement levels.
Students with disabilities and English language learners in performance measures.
New middle school acceleration measure.
Use federal graduation rate.
Allow weighted learning gains for some students.
Safety net protection.
2013
New Science FCAT 2.0 and Geometry and Biology EOC assessments and achievement levels.
Safety net provision continued.
Reading threshold implemented.

13. Increasing Inclusion of Students
Began school grades with fewer students included
Only 3 grade levels (Grades 4, 8, and 10)
Reading, Writing, and Math
No students with disabilities
No English language learners
Now schools are accountable for all students’ performance
Includes 8 grade levels (Grades 3 to 10) plus students with end-of-course assessments
Reading, Writing, Math, Science and end-of-course
Include students with disabilities
Include English language learners
Focus on lowest 25% of students

14. Student Reading Performance Increased

15. Student Math Performance Increased
FCAT
FCAT 2.0

16. Changes Already in Rule Scheduled for 2013-14
Include US History in the high school model at 100 points (in the “other” 50%)
Reduce the points for acceleration to 200 points

17. Proposed Rule Revisions: October SBE Meeting
Rule revisions required to implement changes to statute (s , F.S.) from Senate Bill 1720
Grading co-located schools
Cell-size re-set at 10
Rule revision required for compliance with the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
Revise percent-tested calculation - not limited to students who are full- year enrolled, based on students enrolled at the time of testing.
Proposed extension of the one-letter-grade-drop limit (safety net provision) for school grades
Technical correction
Clarify definition of “full-year enrolled.”

18. Focus Moving Forward
School Grades. Improving our education accountability system to further ensure transparency and fairness while providing meaningful and useful information to our parents and educators about how our students and schools are performing